red slime algae question

sambrinar · 06-19-2008, 01:31 PM

Ok have a currently small outbreak of red slime algae. 2 small areas I can see. I know I over feed, trying to remedy my impulse. Need a support group JK.

Any way, I scraped it out, did water change, have phosban in the filter(just put in 1 week ago) changed charcoal cart.today. Just got new lights 1 week ago, went from 13 watt PC to 96 watt T-5.

If I leave the lights out for a while will that help?? I do have various soft corals in there.

Water param perfect phosphate was .25 when I checked it on Tues. I don't know what it was prior to the phosban placement.

vdituri · 06-19-2008, 01:32 PM

It will help a little.

What kind of water do you use for topoffs?

lcstorc · 06-19-2008, 01:34 PM

Decrease feeding
Rinse all food with RO/DI water
Increase flow
Remove as much as you can.

Keeping the lights off may be a temporary solution but you need to adress the long term issue so it stays away.

BigAl07 · 06-19-2008, 01:34 PM

I don't know that light reduction will help. It's feeding from nutrients IN the water.

Ditto Lynn

Stacef · 06-19-2008, 01:36 PM

I am currently battling a green cyano infestation. From what I here, Chemi-Pure is wonderful. Possibly look into that? Although- Phosban may be doing the same thing Chemi-Pure would I am no expert at this. Good luck!!

djbacon · 06-19-2008, 01:51 PM

When I had a cyano issue in my sand bed, I had really good luck with a 50% water change and a bag of PURIGEN - absolutely no slime for the next 3 months - getting a tiny tiny bit again lately but I am a big fan of the purigen bag and weekly water changes. Think I am getting it again because I got a bunch of non photosynthetic filter feeders that need regular phyto and mysis feedings.

In short - overfeeding

So long as you keep your nitrates undetetable you will have NO problem.

Purigen

sambrinar · 06-19-2008, 03:11 PM

I top off with distilled water. I know it's the overfeeding (OFA anyone??) I melt the frozen food in Distilled h2o, but don't rinse. Will try that.

I do weekly water changes 2gal in a 12gal tank. My nitrates are never 0, but remain 2.5 always. on the marine test kit and 20 on the dip. not sure why.

even when I didn't have anything in the tank. I am buying the company I work for and when it is finalized I am going to put in an RO/DI filter. But until then I will have to use the distilled

What is a good unit for a office with an under the sink unit. are there any install yourself ones? small town no cullagan here or anything like it.

COULD IT BE THE MARINE SNOW I FEED MY TUBE WORM I only feed it 1cc once a week?? it's gotta eat.

GSELLERS · 06-19-2008, 04:36 PM

its a trigger from your new lights....just a bloom...the tank will pass this phase. running gfo, carbon and frequent w/c's will benefit

sambrinar · 06-19-2008, 05:14 PM

That's what I wanted to hear. Any thoughts about the constant nitrate levels?? I thining that it's my "addiction" to feeding the poor fish

johnmaloney · 06-25-2008, 11:51 PM

Get something to absorb the nitrates. There are a lot of good macros out there, chaeto is effective popular and easy to keep. MAngroves are good in the long run. The two are excellent together. What do you have that will eat cyanobacteria?

Green cyano only needs phosphate to live. No light or nitrates are needed Chemical treatments may work now, but then you will have the problem again. Get a phosban system or macroalgae that will absorb phosphates.

sambrinar · 06-26-2008, 02:41 AM

I put phosban in the filter area on top of the charcoal so it would get good flow (1.5weeks ago), I have just put 5 blue legged hermits (today), lettuce slug (today), multiple snails, astrea, certh, and a few other snails I picked up, don't know what they are honestly, and 1 emerald crab (been in there for 3 months)

Will any of these eat that blasted stuff?? the tank is only 12 gals. were can I put the chaeto?? No fuge. can I put it into a net bag in the filter compartment?? I know weird question, but it is an eclypse 12, no hood new light that sits above the tank. so the chaeto would get good water movement and light. here is the hood the 24".

T-5 Aquarium Lighting: Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights

the filter is open and horizontal, no cover so the light emits into it. think that would work?? Might be a stretch

PS what is mangroves??

johnmaloney · 06-26-2008, 04:25 PM

Yeah that would work. Mangroves are trees that can grow in saltwater, and in aquariums that soak up nitrates and phosphates. Find a home for the lettuce slug at some point, I think you would have a hard time sustaining it in that size tank, without feeding it macroalgae. If you are planning on feeding it that is different. It will not eat blue green (looks green) cyano if that is what you have.

johnmaloney · 06-26-2008, 04:26 PM

Marine snow does cause nutrient problems, you are right about that.

sambrinar · 06-28-2008, 06:34 PM

Ok I give up

, my hair algae and red cyano, and I think green cyano (new) is taking over. On Monday I am planning doing a 10-15% h2o change and removing all the rock and scrubbing them.

My Idea is that if I do that, it will go away right??

According to my parameters they are fine, all 0, but since the algae is taking over, I understand that the nitrate is probably in the algae. I do have phosban in the filter. So what do you think.

there are 6 blue legged hermits, 1 emerald, multiple snails, none of which putting a dent in it. in a 12.5 gal tank. 1 O clown and 1 wheeler watchman gobie

Gina · 06-28-2008, 06:36 PM

Have you tested for phosphates?

06-19-2008, 01:31 PM	#1 (permalink)
sambrinar recovering overfeeder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 6,420 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	red slime algae question Ok have a currently small outbreak of red slime algae. 2 small areas I can see. I know I over feed, trying to remedy my impulse. Need a support group JK. Any way, I scraped it out, did water change, have phosban in the filter(just put in 1 week ago) changed charcoal cart.today. Just got new lights 1 week ago, went from 13 watt PC to 96 watt T-5. If I leave the lights out for a while will that help?? I do have various soft corals in there. Water param perfect phosphate was .25 when I checked it on Tues. I don't know what it was prior to the phosban placement. __________________ Brenda Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music ~ George Carlin Original member of http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...eef-holic.html My addiction 75 gal glass http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ce-sanity.html

06-19-2008, 01:32 PM	#2 (permalink)
vdituri Excellent Guesser :D Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Sacramento California Posts: 6,244 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: red slime algae question It will help a little. What kind of water do you use for topoffs? __________________ Victor ----- People come into our lives for a reason, a season or a lifetime. When you know which one it is, you will know what to do for that person. When someone is in your life for a REASON, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty, to provide you with guidance and support, to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be. Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled, their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

06-19-2008, 01:34 PM	#3 (permalink)
lcstorc Sunshine Reefer Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Cocoa Fl Posts: 26,433 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: red slime algae question Decrease feeding Rinse all food with RO/DI water Increase flow Remove as much as you can. Keeping the lights off may be a temporary solution but you need to adress the long term issue so it stays away. __________________ Peace LYNN Lynn and Franks saltwater adventure Lynn's 20g clown tank Lynn's 90g of sunshine Lynn's frag tank experiment A reef tank is like a race car. The faster you go the harder you crash.

06-19-2008, 01:34 PM	#4 (permalink)
BigAl07 Do I look as lost as I am Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Waynesville, North Carolina Posts: 21,549 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: red slime algae question I don't know that light reduction will help. It's feeding from nutrients IN the water. Ditto Lynn __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ *Live Rock Rubble will do the SAME thing as Bio-Balls and is NOT a suitable replacement for BIO-BALLS in a Reef System! It's ALL gotta go!!* Nitrate (NO3) reduction is directly proportional to percentage of Water Change. Allen's home-made formula...currentNO3-((%WC.01)currentNO3)=finalNO3 (thanks Luukosian) This means if you change 50% of your total water volume (That's EVERYTHING) you'll get a net reduction of (NO3) somewhere around 50%. Ask me about how to increase your REEF budget without going without FOOD!!* Big Al's 10g Julie's (BigAl's Gal) 6g NanoCube Gone but not forgotten BigAl's Slow 90g Tank Chronicle Allens OFFICE 12g Nano-Reef

06-19-2008, 01:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
Stacef Golden Moray Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Dubuque Posts: 2,620 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: red slime algae question I am currently battling a green cyano infestation. From what I here, Chemi-Pure is wonderful. Possibly look into that? Although- Phosban may be doing the same thing Chemi-Pure would I am no expert at this. Good luck!! __________________ Stace My 72g Build-full of pictures, we all know you loce pictures! I've had to pay my price. The things I did not know at first, I learned by doin' twice. -Billy Joel

06-19-2008, 01:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
djbacon Neon dottyback Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: San Francisco Posts: 601 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: red slime algae question When I had a cyano issue in my sand bed, I had really good luck with a 50% water change and a bag of PURIGEN - absolutely no slime for the next 3 months - getting a tiny tiny bit again lately but I am a big fan of the purigen bag and weekly water changes. Think I am getting it again because I got a bunch of non photosynthetic filter feeders that need regular phyto and mysis feedings. In short - overfeeding So long as you keep your nitrates undetetable you will have NO problem. Purigen __________________ Check out my awesome 14g nanoreef in progress - http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ater-tank.html The Nano Club - It's not the size of the reef. It's what's in it that counts

06-19-2008, 03:11 PM	#7 (permalink)
sambrinar recovering overfeeder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 6,420 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: red slime algae question I top off with distilled water. I know it's the overfeeding (OFA anyone??) I melt the frozen food in Distilled h2o, but don't rinse. Will try that. I do weekly water changes 2gal in a 12gal tank. My nitrates are never 0, but remain 2.5 always. on the marine test kit and 20 on the dip. not sure why. even when I didn't have anything in the tank. I am buying the company I work for and when it is finalized I am going to put in an RO/DI filter. But until then I will have to use the distilled What is a good unit for a office with an under the sink unit. are there any install yourself ones? small town no cullagan here or anything like it. COULD IT BE THE MARINE SNOW I FEED MY TUBE WORM I only feed it 1cc once a week?? it's gotta eat. __________________ Brenda Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music ~ George Carlin Original member of http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...eef-holic.html My addiction 75 gal glass http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ce-sanity.html

06-19-2008, 04:36 PM	#8 (permalink)
GSELLERS Plate Coral Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: BRANDON FLORIDA Posts: 787 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: red slime algae question its a trigger from your new lights....just a bloom...the tank will pass this phase. running gfo, carbon and frequent w/c's will benefit

06-19-2008, 05:14 PM	#9 (permalink)
sambrinar recovering overfeeder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 6,420 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: red slime algae question That's what I wanted to hear. Any thoughts about the constant nitrate levels?? I thining that it's my "addiction" to feeding the poor fish __________________ Brenda Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music ~ George Carlin Original member of http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...eef-holic.html My addiction 75 gal glass http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ce-sanity.html

06-25-2008, 11:51 PM	#10 (permalink)
johnmaloney Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 600 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: red slime algae question Get something to absorb the nitrates. There are a lot of good macros out there, chaeto is effective popular and easy to keep. MAngroves are good in the long run. The two are excellent together. What do you have that will eat cyanobacteria? Green cyano only needs phosphate to live. No light or nitrates are needed Chemical treatments may work now, but then you will have the problem again. Get a phosban system or macroalgae that will absorb phosphates. __________________ Here is a link to my sponsored forum on reefsanctuary. Here is a link to my website, we do clean up crews and macroalgae.

06-26-2008, 02:41 AM	#11 (permalink)
sambrinar recovering overfeeder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 6,420 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Re: red slime algae question I put phosban in the filter area on top of the charcoal so it would get good flow (1.5weeks ago), I have just put 5 blue legged hermits (today), lettuce slug (today), multiple snails, astrea, certh, and a few other snails I picked up, don't know what they are honestly, and 1 emerald crab (been in there for 3 months) Will any of these eat that blasted stuff?? the tank is only 12 gals. were can I put the chaeto?? No fuge. can I put it into a net bag in the filter compartment?? I know weird question, but it is an eclypse 12, no hood new light that sits above the tank. so the chaeto would get good water movement and light. here is the hood the 24". T-5 Aquarium Lighting: Nova Extreme T-5 Fixtures w/Lunar Lights the filter is open and horizontal, no cover so the light emits into it. think that would work?? Might be a stretch PS what is mangroves?? __________________ Brenda Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music ~ George Carlin Original member of http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...eef-holic.html My addiction 75 gal glass http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ce-sanity.html Last edited by sambrinar : 06-26-2008 at 03:12 AM. Reason: Additional questions

06-26-2008, 04:25 PM	#12 (permalink)
johnmaloney Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 600 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: red slime algae question Yeah that would work. Mangroves are trees that can grow in saltwater, and in aquariums that soak up nitrates and phosphates. Find a home for the lettuce slug at some point, I think you would have a hard time sustaining it in that size tank, without feeding it macroalgae. If you are planning on feeding it that is different. It will not eat blue green (looks green) cyano if that is what you have. __________________ Here is a link to my sponsored forum on reefsanctuary. Here is a link to my website, we do clean up crews and macroalgae.

06-26-2008, 04:26 PM	#13 (permalink)
johnmaloney Neon dottyback Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 600 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: red slime algae question Marine snow does cause nutrient problems, you are right about that. __________________ Here is a link to my sponsored forum on reefsanctuary. Here is a link to my website, we do clean up crews and macroalgae.

06-28-2008, 06:34 PM	#14 (permalink)
sambrinar recovering overfeeder Join Date: May 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 6,420 View Gallery Karma Komment Add yours!	Algae (red, hair, and green) Ok I give up , my hair algae and red cyano, and I think green cyano (new) is taking over. On Monday I am planning doing a 10-15% h2o change and removing all the rock and scrubbing them. My Idea is that if I do that, it will go away right?? According to my parameters they are fine, all 0, but since the algae is taking over, I understand that the nitrate is probably in the algae. I do have phosban in the filter. So what do you think. there are 6 blue legged hermits, 1 emerald, multiple snails, none of which putting a dent in it. in a 12.5 gal tank. 1 O clown and 1 wheeler watchman gobie __________________ Brenda Those who dance are considered insane by those who cannot hear the music ~ George Carlin Original member of http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...eef-holic.html My addiction 75 gal glass http://www.reefsanctuary.com/forums/...ce-sanity.html

06-28-2008, 06:36 PM	#15 (permalink)
Gina Moderator Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Indiana Posts: 8,842 View Gallery Karma Komment	Re: Algae (red, hair, and green) Have you tested for phosphates? __________________ Gina and Mark's 75 Visit Our Sponsors Gina's Cube Gina

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